HORSLEY, Derbyshire - Extract from National Gazetteer, 1868

"HORSLEY, a parish in the hundred of Morleston, county Derby, 6 miles N.E. of Derby, its post town, and 2 N.E. of Duffield railway station. The parish, which is considerable, is situated near the river Derwent, and on the Derby and Alfreton road. It contains the villages of Horsley, Horsley Woodhouse, and Kilburne. Here formerly stood a castle, built by Ralph-de-Burun. The surface is diversified with hill and dale, and the soil is in general light. The Little Eaton railway passes through the parish.

The living is a vicarage* in the diocese of Lichfield, value £210. The church, which stands on a lofty eminence, is dedicated to St. Clement. It has a lofty tower and spire containing four bells. The parochial charities produce about £15 10s. per annum, of which £5 10s. is distributed to the poor in cloth and flannel.

Here is a National school for both sexes. E. D. Sitwell, Esq., is lord of the manor and chief landowner. On the summit of a hill, about 1 mile from the church, are the ruins of the ancient baronial castle of Horeston, built in the 12th century, and formerly held by the Stanhope family."

"ACRES, a small place near the village of Kilburne, in the parish of Horsley, in the county of Derby, 3 miles N.E. of Duffield."

"HORSLEY-WOODHOUSE, a township in the parish of Horsley, hundred of Morleston, county Derby, 7 miles N. of Derby. The inhabitants are principally employed in framework knitting and in nail making. The Wesleyans have a place of worship. Edward D. Sitwell, Esq., is lord of the manor and principal landowner."

[Description(s) from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868)
Transcribed by Colin HINSON ©2003]